A certified nursing assistant (CNA) plays an integral role in any hospital setting. They have many responsibilities, including gathering medical supplies, bathing patients, dressing wounds, and more. Knowing the importance of CNAs, places like Houston need more of them. It will ensure that there will be people to care for the residents should anything happen to them.
Suppose you want to become one. You need to take CNA classes in Houston. These give people proper training to ensure nursing assistants know what they are doing, and their actions make patients feel better and not worse.
Best CNA Classes in Houston
Regarding CNA classes in Houston, there are many choices. Many schools offer classes and training programs. Thus, you can choose one that is right for you. Based on our research, these are the best places to get CNA training in Houston.
American Medical Institute
American Medical Institute is one of the best places to take CNA classes in Houston, TX. Their expertise in the medical field is undeniable; it enabled them to help many become CNAs. This institute offers a hands-on Nurse-Aid Training Program and a spacious nursing center as the facility. Combined together, they help make a great CNA.
The classes are scheduled twice a week for 6 weeks.
Tuition: $1111 (tuition, registration, lab fees, and uniform are included.)
Website: http://www.amiinc.net/
Consolidated Nurse Aide Training Institute
The Consolidated Nurse Aide Training Institute will help you launch your career in healthcare through its CNA classes. They offer a two-part CNA training program, ensuring you’ll learn all you need to learn. First, students learn about patient care through lectures, audio-visual aids, and hands-on demonstrations. Afterward is hands-on training, where students will be working directly with patients in a healthcare facility. A member of the school staff who’s a Primary Nurse Assistant Instructor and a licensed Nurse will supervise the training.
Tuition: $950 (includes books, equipment, and supplies). An additional $100 for registration and $125 for the state test fee.
Website: https://cnatraininginstitute.org/
Texas Health School
Texas Health School’s CNA classes teach students the necessary skills to become certified nursing assistants. They will learn about nutrition, vital signs, infection control, and proper body mechanics. Besides those, Texas Health School also teaches students how to properly talk to patients and informs them about patient rights. Once students have finished the classes, they receive a certificate, making them eligible for state certification as Nurse Aides.
Tuition: Please contact the school, as the program fees are ever-changing.
Website: https://www.ths.edu/
Almeda Health Care Center
Students who are on a tight budget can turn to Almeda Health Care Center to take CNA classes. It is on a mission to help the unemployed find jobs in the healthcare sector. Thus, Almeda Health Care Center offers a free CNA training program. Classroom instruction, laboratory training, and hands-on clinical practice are all included in the classes. Despite being free, the quality of classes is high, and students will definitely learn a lot.
Tuition: Free
Website: They don’t have a website.
Ace Training Center
In Ace Training Center, CNA students learn skills and knowledge in First Aid, CPR, vital sign checks, etc. Of course, how to provide basic care to patients is also included in the classes. Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 am to 2 pm, for five weeks. These lessons and training equip students with the knowledge they need to pass the Texas Nurse Aide exam. Mandatory 40-hour clinical hours are typically scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday, from 7 am to 2 pm, throughout the five weeks.
Tuition: $900 (Texas Nurse Aide exam fee not included)
Website: https://acetrainingcenter.com/
Houston Community College
Students will learn a lot about healthcare from Houston Community College’s CNA classes. It will set them up for success in the field. Specifically, the classes teach students the theory, concepts, and skills relevant to the nurse aide occupation. Students will learn resident rights, observation, and reporting, on top of how to keep residents safe and comfortable.
Tuition: $795
Website: https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/ce-programs/certified-nurse-aide/
Alpha Center of Excellence Training Institute
Alpha Center of Excellence Training Institute offers low-cost CNA classes. Students will learn how to perform CPR, administer first aid, and check vital signs. Moreover, the classes will teach students the other key practices needed for CNA licensure.
CNA classes from this institution last 5 weeks long. Students can attend 60 classroom hours via Zoom.
Tuition: $900 (includes application fee, tuition, and criminal background check)
Website: https://acetrainingcenter.com/
Lone Star College
Aspiring CNAs who want to take care mainly of the elderly should check Lone Star College’s CNA classes. Classes put an emphasis on how to care for older adults. Students learn about their and other patients’ health, safety, and comfort. Proper communication is also taught in Lone Star College’s CNA classes.
This training program requires 108 hours of study. A total of 64 hours will be spent in the classroom, while 44 will be hands-on clinical training.
Tuition: Please contact the school to know about the tuition and fees.
Website: https://www.lonestar.edu/programs-of-study/nurse-aide-certificate.htm
CNA Requirements in Houston
Not anyone can become a certified nursing assistant. After all, this work involves taking care of the elderly and people who are sick. Life is on the line. Expectedly, there are requirements you need to pass to become a CNA.
First, a person must be at least 18 years old. They should also be in good physical health and have up-to-date immunization records. Additionally, someone trying to become a CNA must pass a criminal background check.
To be a CNA in Houston, a person should also pass the Texas CNA exam. Additionally, they should have proof that they are graduating from a state-certified CNA program. Last, they should be listed on the Texas state CNA registry.
Required Classroom Hours
You must complete the required classroom hours to be eligible as a CNA. As long as you tool your CNA classes from schools offering state-certified CNA programs, this is not a problem. The classes are often above the minimum classroom hour requirement.
To become a CNA in Texas, you must take at least 100 hours of training. This is divided into two parts: classroom hours and clinical hours. Classroom hours should be at least 60 hours, while clinical hours should be at least 40 hours.
The Texas CNA Exam
As mentioned above, after completing CNA classes, a person must take the Texas CNA Exam. Much like the classes, the exam is comprised of two parts. The two parts are the Written Test and the Skills Test.
In the first part, exam takers need to correctly answer multiple-choice questions. Next, they have to perform different skills.
How To Choose Which CNA Class in Houston to Take
By looking at the requirements for certification, you can easily pick which CNA class to take. But aside from those, you should also consider other factors, mainly regarding who and what you are. Here’s a list of factors to consider:
- Is the CNA program state-certified?
- Do the classes meet the minimum hour requirements?
- What are the qualifications of the instructors?
- What is the Texas CNA exam pass rate?
- How much are the tuition and fees?
- Are there financial aid, scholarship, or grants available?
These are just some of the factors to consider. Depending on your case, there may be more.
FAQs
Here are some of people’s frequently asked questions regarding CNA and CNA classes in Houston.
How much is a CNA in Houston’s salary?
In the Houston area, the average annual wage of a CNA is $32,000. It is around the national average of $32,721. But please note that it can go higher or lower, depending on where you work.
What are the requirements for taking CNA classes?
The requirements vary from one institution to another. But generally, you need to provide a high school diploma or an equivalent, pass the background check, and be at least 18 years old. They also check your physical fitness, as CNAs need to move and lift patients.
How long do CNA classes last?
CNA classes in Houston do not take long. You can complete them in 4 to 6 weeks, most of the time. Though, the longer ones can last up to 12 weeks.
CNA classes in Houston cover what?
Like CNA classes in other states, CNA classes in Houston cover topics like patient care, infection control, first aid, and communication skills. Some classes also offer CPR lessons. Sometimes, it is included in the package. Other times, you need to pay extra for these special lessons.
How to become certified as a nursing assistant after completing CNA classes?
You need to take the Texas CNA exam to become a certified nursing assistant. Often, CNA schools are testing facilities. So, you can take the exam there. Otherwise, you can take the written exam online. Then, take the skills exam in person at designated sites.
We recommend also trying the online practice exams before taking the test. They allow you to assess how ready you are, increasing your chances of becoming certified.